Finally got the wings and tail back on after "Yellow Peril's" trip by boat from Honolulu to New Mexico. The second "first flight" was uneventful as hoped except for the usual sea-level to mountain-level density altitude factors.
After post-flight refueling (and switching tanks) the engine wouldn't start as the boost pump hammered away without fuel. Fiddling with the fuel tank valve (Van's standard issue) from left to right suddenly the right stop no longer worked and the handle rotated almost 360 degrees! I wiggled the handle back and forth trying to find a spot where fuel would flow so I could get back to the hangar. The pump and engine finally did find some fuel to start, but with partial power and running rough at 1000 rpm.
Were there any indications of impending failure? (Luckily this didn't happened in the air 15 minutes ago when I switched tanks.) Maybe yes maybe no. Last year I noticed the valve loosened up a little and would pass the detent (click) on either tank about 5-10 degrees before resting on the stop. The shaft also developed a little slop in it over time--the plane is only 2 years old with about 150 hrs. Once I remember the the valved turned to the detent (but not to the stop) with no fuel flow.
I don't know what the implications are for others with this fuel valve. I'm sure many are using it problem-free. For me it seems logical to invest in the more robust Andair valve just to be safe.
On the ground and happy at E98 (MidValley Airpark).
Greg
After post-flight refueling (and switching tanks) the engine wouldn't start as the boost pump hammered away without fuel. Fiddling with the fuel tank valve (Van's standard issue) from left to right suddenly the right stop no longer worked and the handle rotated almost 360 degrees! I wiggled the handle back and forth trying to find a spot where fuel would flow so I could get back to the hangar. The pump and engine finally did find some fuel to start, but with partial power and running rough at 1000 rpm.
Were there any indications of impending failure? (Luckily this didn't happened in the air 15 minutes ago when I switched tanks.) Maybe yes maybe no. Last year I noticed the valve loosened up a little and would pass the detent (click) on either tank about 5-10 degrees before resting on the stop. The shaft also developed a little slop in it over time--the plane is only 2 years old with about 150 hrs. Once I remember the the valved turned to the detent (but not to the stop) with no fuel flow.
I don't know what the implications are for others with this fuel valve. I'm sure many are using it problem-free. For me it seems logical to invest in the more robust Andair valve just to be safe.
On the ground and happy at E98 (MidValley Airpark).
Greg